Ranieri grows with his 'baby'

CLAUDIO RANIERI'S reputation is growing with every victory, but if it gets to the point where he is wanted by other big clubs then Chelsea fans need not fear - for the Italian will not desert his "baby".

CLAUDIO RANIERI'S reputation is growing with every victory, but if it gets to the point where he is wanted by other big clubs then Chelsea fans need not fear - for the Italian will not desert his "baby".

The Blues boss feels he has "grown up" with the club in the last three years, and he believes there is no better place to be than at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will be aiming to hold on to top spot in the Premiership by beating Bolton at home today and Ranieri will not rest until he captures the title.

"Since I arrived I always said I wanted to win the league," he said. "It is not that easy to battle against Manchester United and Arsenal. Now I hope in the spring, as Sir Alex Ferguson predicted recently, we are in there fighting.

"I want us to stay in the pack. At the moment it is not important to be top of the league, we just need to be up there with them."